Richard Babu Rajendren

Richard Babu Rajendren age 84 of Monticello, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. He was born November 26, 1938.

In 1966, Richard came to the US from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India to complete his PhD in Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota. While on campus, Richard met the love of his life, Viola. The two were married on August 22, 1969, just shy of celebrating 54 years of marriage.  They made a home and raised 3 kids in Belle Plaine and moved to help take care of his Mother-in-Law on the family farm in Monticello.

Richard became the founder and president of American Aerators in Monticello, and held numerous patents for aeration. He was also a member of the Rotary Toastmasters.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Samuel Richard and Dr. Joyce Soloman Richard; and sister, Premila.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Viola (Barnett); daughter, Joyce; sons, Jonathann and Jasper; sisters, Selva Shanthi and Aruna Asir; brothers, Lal Mohan (Sam) and Rajiv Chellathurai.

Richard was full of charm, he liked to be around friends and family and would love a good debate. He was a good steward of the land, never met an animal or bug or bird or fish that he didn’t like. He was the same with people. He especially loved his cat ‘King’ and his goat ‘Andy’. He loved working with plants, trying to figure out diseases and how the plants could better flourish. He’ll be greatly missed by his family around the globe, and the many friends he made along the way.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 10:30 AM, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM, at Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapels, 250 East Broadway, Monticello, MN. Burial following at Lakeside Cemetery in Silver Creek Township, MN. With a reception afterwards at Faith Lutheran Church (Sliver Creek).

Services will be livestreamed. Please click on the blue button below that says click here to access the video. (on the day of the service no earlier than 10:15 AM), or by clicking the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86249681323?pwd=NGpISytTNHdHRHFHSnJsckV4VVowdz09#success
Passcode: 293482. 

Serving the family is Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapels of Monticello, MN. 763-295-2918
www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Babu Rajendren, please visit our floral store.